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An infection can start with symptoms that seem relatively ordinary – a fever, chills, fatigue, pain, or simply feeling unwell. But when the body's response to an infection becomes uncontrolled, an illness that initially appears manageable can quickly become a medical emergency.
September is Sepsis Awareness Month, making it an important time to understand what sepsis is, who may be at greater risk, what warning signs patients and families should recognize, and why timely medical care matters.
When an Infection Becomes Something More
Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. Without prompt recognition and treatment, it can progress to septic shock, organ failure, and even death. Sepsis can develop from many types of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, surgical infections, and skin infections. An infection does not have to appear severe at first to become dangerous.
Warning signs may include fever or chills, rapid heart rate, fast breathing or shortness of breath, confusion or difficulty staying awake, extreme pain or discomfort, and cold, pale, or clammy skin.
What is especially important is whether a patient's condition is getting worse. Someone who initially appears to have a routine infection but later develops confusion, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, or other significant changes may need immediate medical evaluation.
Who Is at Greater Risk?
Anyone can develop sepsis, but certain people may be more vulnerable, including adults over 65, infants, people recovering from surgery, recently hospitalized patients, and those with diabetes, cancer, weakened immune systems, or other serious medical conditions. For higher-risk patients, even a seemingly minor infection may require closer monitoring.
Patients and family members are also often the first to recognize that something has changed. If a person who was alert earlier is suddenly confused, pain is becoming significantly worse, or someone expected to improve is instead deteriorating, those changes should not be ignored.
When "Wait and See" Is No Longer Enough
Observation can be appropriate in many medical situations. But when a patient with an infection is becoming progressively sicker, continued waiting may be dangerous.
Patients should feel comfortable asking questions when their condition is worsening: Could this be sepsis? Should additional testing be performed? Do I need blood cultures? Are antibiotics appropriate? Is it safe for me to go home?
If you are discharged from an emergency room or hospital with an infection, make sure you understand what happens next. Ask what warning signs mean you should return immediately, how quickly you should expect to improve, when you should follow up with your doctor, and what to do if your antibiotics do not appear to be working. If your symptoms are getting significantly worse instead of better, seek medical attention.
When Delayed Recognition May Be Medical Malpractice
Not every case of sepsis is caused by medical negligence. Sepsis can develop even when healthcare providers act appropriately. However, there are circumstances that may warrant further investigation. These can include repeated reports of worsening symptoms that were not appropriately evaluated, significant signs of infection that were overlooked, abnormal test results that were not acted upon, unreasonable delays in testing or treatment, or discharge despite signs suggesting that additional medical care was necessary.
The question in a medical malpractice case is not simply whether the patient developed sepsis. The issue is whether the healthcare providers responded appropriately to the information available at the time and, if they did not, whether earlier recognition and treatment would likely have prevented or reduced the patient's injuries. That determination generally requires a careful review of the medical records, symptoms, vital signs, laboratory results, timing of treatment, and opinions from qualified medical experts.
Know the Signs and Speak Up
Sepsis can progress rapidly. Knowing the warning signs, paying attention when an infection is getting worse, and seeking timely medical care can make an important difference. If you or a loved one suffered serious complications or death after an infection or sepsis was missed, dismissed, or improperly treated, the circumstances may warrant further investigation.
Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A. represents patients and families in medical malpractice cases throughout Florida. Contact us at +1 (877) KKTPLAW for a free, confidential consultation to discuss what happened and learn more about your legal options.